TV presenter Charlie Webster in coma after marathon cycle ride

Sheffield television sports presenter Charlie Webster is in a Rio hospital following the six-week, 3,000-mile charity cycle ride Ride-To-Rio.

Charlie Webster, Great Yorkshire Run, Sheffield, 2014

She became unwell after watching the Olympic opening ceremony and is now in hospital with a rare strain of malaria and complications caused by a bacterial infection.

All the best wishes to her as she recovers in Rio.

Mo Farah confirmed for 'Super Saturday' at the Muller Anniversary Games

Double Olympic and World Champion Mo Farah will return to the scene of his London 2012 victories as part of his preparation for the Rio Olympics.  It will be the first time that he has raced over 5000m at the Olympic Stadium since he won Olympic gold there four years ago.

Mo Farah, world record for the two-mile, Birmingham February 2015

Jessica Ennis-Hill is also confirmed for 'Super Saturday' which will also feature Jonnie Peacock, David Weit and Hannah Cockroft.  The event is now taking on the tag of 'Rio in a weekend' - just two weeks before the Opening Ceremony in Rio.

See more at: http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/british-athletics-series/london-anniversary-games/

Getting excited about the London Anniversary Games - Jess Ennis added to the line-up!

The London Anniversary Games will be the last chance for many athletes to finish their preparations for the Rio Olympics.  The Olympic stadium in Stratford will be the ideal place to perform in front of a large crowd.

It all happens at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 22nd-23rd July 2016 and the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt will set the stadium alight on the Friday night.

Usain Bolt, press conference, XX Commonwealth Games, Glasgow, July 2014

Just announced is that Jessica Ennis-Hill will compete in the 100m hurdles on the Friday night and the long jump on the Saturday.

Jessica Ennis-Hill, Great City Games, Manchester, 2015

Having done so well at the venue on 'Super Saturday' in 2012, she says she is "...banking on a good crowd to lift me to a good time".

The event will play host to the prestigious IAAF Diamond League meet on both days.  The IPC Grand Prix Finals with stars such as Jonnie Peacock and Hannah Cockroft will also be incorporated into Saturday’s programme.

Photos will appear here and at www.peverilphoto.com  after the event.

See more details at: http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/british-athletics-series/london-anniversary-games/

British Athletics Championships this weekend in Birmingham

The best of Britain will descend on Alexander Stadium, Birmingham from 24-26 June as they compete for the prestigious honour of being crowned British champion as well as a place on the British Athletics team for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The Alexander Stadium has played host to some memorable British Championships moments over the years and 2015 was no different as ‘finals day’ on the Sunday saw thrilling victories for Dina Asher-Smith, who set a new championship record in the women’s 100m, sub-10 man Chijindu Ujah in the men’s 100m and Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford.

Over 600 athletes from across the country will compete over the three days and more than 20 finals will be settled in a scintillating three hour programme on the Sunday.

Find out more at: http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/british-athletics-series/the-british-championships/

Rio 2016: Tom Daley and Dan Goodfellow secure second Olympic spot for diving

Tom Daley and Dan Goodfellow scored 446.40 to finish third at the Rio World Cup diving this weekend and earn Team GB a synchronised 10m platform berth for this summer's Olympic Games.

Tom Daley, Olympic trials, Ponds Forge, Sheffield, 2012

Former Silverdale pupil Freddie Woodward also earned Team GB a second individual 3m springboard Olympic place by reaching the semi-finals to take the total of spots for Team GB at Rio to ten.

 

 Freddie Woodward, British Gas Diving Championships, Ponds Forge, Sheffield, 2014

Jessica Ennis-Hill to miss indoor season

Olympic and World heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill has confirmed that she will will miss the indoor athletics season with an Achilles injury.

Jessica Ennis-Hill and coach Toni Minichiello, Great City Games, Manchester, May 2015

She has said that she is "really frustrated" but wants to be "100% ready" to defend her Olympic title in Rio in August.  This will be a disappointment to everyone hoping to see her at the UK Indoors on her home turf of the EIS, Sheffield on 27/28th Feb.

Luke Cutts' 2016 Olympic Campaign

Luke Cutts is one of our top pole vaulters and is looking for funds to help him train in advance of the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Luke Cutts, Northern Athletics Championships 2016, EIS Sheffield

The following is text that his coach, Trevor Fox, has posted. Please visit the link at the bottom of this page.

My name is Trevor Fox. I have been coaching Athletics for 30 years.
I wish to raise a fund for a 27 year old Pole Vaulter, Luke Cutts, to enable him to compete in the 2016 Olympics.  I have coached him up to World Class standard from the age of 10 years. Luke is now the UK indoor record holder. He is the only UK pole Vaulter to achieve a height of 5.83 Metres. The money I Wish To Raise is to enable Luke to get back on to the Top of his Game, to super charge his training effort from now until July 2016. At the moment his inspiration to success is hampered by a limitation on his training time through work commitments.  He is a Family man with four young children, two step boys, plus being a father to two girls. The amount of fund we require will permit him to suspend his employment for six months so he can be paid as a professional without having to do anything else during run up to the Rio Olympics. Due to time limitation the funding is required and would be greatfully received at the earliest possibility.
This support would be an invaluable culmination of my voluntary 18000 hours of coaching, all be it willingly, but given freely. Both of us will be greatful to realise the opportunity of contending for a podium place at the Rio Olympics,the value of such success,which is definitely  attainable, will be immeasurable, and make us absolutely indebted to all friends who are willing to support and probably have never heard of us till now!


https://www.gofundme.com/25hbmrtc

Usain Bolt to run at the London Anniversary Games!

Six-time Olympic Champion Usain Bolt will prepare for the Rio Olympics by running at the London Anniversary Games in July 2016.

Usain Bolt, press conference, Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014

He'll return to the track where he won three gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics to take part in the event from 22/23 July 2016.  This will be his final race before Rio.

Jessica Ennis-Hill looking to qualify for Rio

Jessica Ennis-Hill says that she is fit to compete in her first heptathlon since becoming Olympic champion.  She has recently returned to competition again and has had promising run outs at the Great CityGames in Manchester and the Loughborough International.

Jessica Ennis-Hill at the UK Indoor Championships in 2012 where she ramped up her qualification for London 2012

She will now travel to Gotzis on 30th-31st May to target a slot at Rio in 2016 with a heptathlon score above 6,200 points.  She said qualifying early for the Rio Olympics would remove "...a real pressure", adding: "All the indicators are looking positive, so I plan to go to Gotzis and give it my best shot."

She has also confirmed her intention to compete in the Sainsbury's Birmingham Grand Prix at the Alexander Stadium on Sunday 7th June.  Looks like Sheffield's Golden Girl is going for it!